When Mike Smith decided to take an eighteen-month sabbatical to the middle of nowhere, he didn't expect to find plastic ...and lots of it. 

Smith is the founder of Zero Co, sustainable, reusable home-cleaning and personal-care products.

Not only do you feel good buying one of Zero Co's products, but it's managed to make laundry detergent look really sexy with its fun, cool design.  

I want to know why so many people have decided to back such a young startup, Mike's Smith's story behind his company, and how Zero Co plans to change the plastic industry.

Join the Facebook Group.

Follow Mark Bouris on Instagram, LinkedIn& YouTube.

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When Mike Smith decided to take an eighteen-month sabbatical to the middle of nowhere, he didn't expect to find plastic ...and lots of it. Smith is the founder of <a href="https://www.zeroco.com.au/">Zero Co</a>, sustainable, reusable home-cleaning and personal-care products.Not only do you feel good buying one of <a href="https://www.zeroco.com.au/">Zero Co</a>'s products, but it's managed to make laundry detergent look really sexy with its fun, cool design.  I want to know why so many people have decided to back such a young startup, Mike's Smith's story behind his company, and how <a href="https://www.zeroco.com.au/">Zero Co</a> plans to change the plastic industry.<a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/mentormarkbouris/">Join the Facebook Group.</a>Follow Mark Bouris on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/mark_bouris/">Instagram</a>, <a href="https://au.linkedin.com/in/markbouris">LinkedIn</a> &amp; <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPX01K1JgNS5pyzUtwtCtsQ">YouTube.</a> See <a href="https://omnystudio.com/listener">omnystudio.com/listener</a> for privacy information.<hr>

Mark Bouris speaks to business owners and entrepreneurs, finding out what makes them tick and their plans for growth. Some business owners are on the way up and enjoying new success, others are at a turning point. Mark digs into their stories and finds out why they set out to create their own path, their challenges and where they go from here. Based on his own personal experiences and learnings, he also passes on his own guidance on how to take their business to the next level.

Mark Bouris speaks to business owners and entrepreneurs, finding out what makes them tick and their plans for growth. Some business owners are on the way up and enjoying new success, others are at a turning point. Mark digs into their stories and finds out why they set out to create their own path, their challenges and where they go from here. Based on his own personal experiences and learnings, he also passes on his own guidance on how to take their business to the next level.

Mark Bouris speaks to business owners and entrepreneurs, finding out what makes them tick and their plans for growth.  Some business owners are on the way up and enjoying new success, others are at a turning point.  Mark digs into...

The Mentor with Mark Bouris

#258 Zero Co: The future of plastic living

Noah Hunter Dorsey is the founder of Future Fulfilment and a 29 year old entrepreneur selected in the Forbes 30 Under 30 list in 2025, working with major brands including Vegemite, the AFL, and many more.

This is a playbook for building multi-million dollar companies before 30.

We cover the move from university to entrepreneurship, backing yourself through fear, and why communication and sales are non negotiable skills. Noah breaks down how he learned by doing, identified high income skills, and prioritised execution over theory.

We also talk leadership, culture, and scale. How to build strong teams, stay connected as the business grows, and deal with setbacks without losing momentum.

You can subscribe to the Mentored newsletter here: https://mentored.com.au/newsletter-sign-up

Join the Facebook Group.

Follow Mark Bouris on Instagram, LinkedIn & YouTube

Claim $500 Bitcoin with OKX SMSF. SMSF trustees: Successfully sign-up your SMSF and get
verified for an OKX SMSF trading account. Deposit $5 and receive $500 worth of Bitcoin. Eligibility
requirements and T&amp;Cs apply. Book a 1-1 call with the OKX SMSF team today for guidance. Offer ends 31 March 2026.

Noah Hunter Dorsey is the founder of Future Fulfilment and a 29 year old entrepreneur selected in the Forbes 30 Under 30 list in 2025, working with major brands including Vegemite, the AFL, and many more.
This is a playbook for building multi-million dollar companies before 30.
We cover the move from university to entrepreneurship, backing yourself through fear, and why communication and sales are non negotiable skills. Noah breaks down how he learned by doing, identified high income skills, and prioritised execution over theory.
We also talk leadership, culture, and scale. How to build strong teams, stay connected as the business grows, and deal with setbacks without losing momentum.
You can subscribe to the Mentored newsletter here:&nbsp;<a href="https://mentored.com.au/newsletter-sign-up">https://mentored.com.au/newsletter-sign-up</a>
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/mentormarkbouris/">Join the Facebook Group.</a>
Follow Mark Bouris on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/mark_bouris/">Instagram</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://au.linkedin.com/in/markbouris">LinkedIn</a>&nbsp;&amp;&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPX01K1JgNS5pyzUtwtCtsQ">YouTube</a>
Claim $500 Bitcoin with OKX SMSF. SMSF trustees: Successfully sign-up your SMSF and get verified for an OKX SMSF trading account. Deposit $5 and receive $500 worth of Bitcoin. Eligibility requirements and T&amp;amp;Cs apply. Book a 1-1 call with the OKX SMSF team today for guidance. Offer&nbsp;ends 31 March 2026.

#513 The Gen-Z Founder Playbook to Multi-Million Dollar Companies by 30 with Noah Hunter Dorsey

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/2fb3740d-3436-44af-8cc0-a91900716aa5/clips/45144be9-9f3a-49c1-8bde-b3ec005b0186/transcript

We’re currently revamping The Mentor podcast with a new studio and a new structure to bring you even better conversations. In the meantime, check out my podcast with one of the top podcast voices of 2025, Dan Bova.

Dan Bova, co-founder of The Yard Gym, leads a franchise network of over 50 locations in Australia, with ambitious plans to expand to 200 sites worldwide by 2025.

In our conversation, we explored Dan’s journey and early life, his move into gym franchising, the founding of The Yard, and what sets it apart. We also delved into its innovative business model and curriculum, the intricacies of franchising, his strategies for growth, and his bold vision for the future of The Yard.

You can subscribe to the Mentored newsletter here: https://mentored.com.au/newsletter-sign-up

Join the Facebook Group.

Follow Mark Bouris on Instagram, LinkedIn & YouTube

Claim $500 Bitcoin with OKX SMSF. SMSF trustees: Successfully sign-up your SMSF and get
verified for an OKX SMSF trading account. Deposit $5 and receive $500 worth of Bitcoin. Eligibility
requirements and T&amp;Cs apply. Book a 1-1 call with the OKX SMSF team today for guidance. Offer ends 31 March 2026.

<blockquote></blockquote>
We&rsquo;re currently revamping The Mentor podcast with a new studio and a new structure to bring you even better conversations. In the meantime, check out my podcast with one of the top podcast voices of 2025, Dan Bova.
Dan Bova, co-founder of The Yard Gym, leads a franchise network of over 50 locations in Australia, with ambitious plans to expand to 200 sites worldwide by 2025.
In our conversation, we explored Dan&rsquo;s journey and early life, his move into gym franchising, the founding of The Yard, and what sets it apart. We also delved into its innovative business model and curriculum, the intricacies of franchising, his strategies for growth, and his bold vision for the future of The Yard.
You can subscribe to the Mentored newsletter here:&nbsp;<a href="https://mentored.com.au/newsletter-sign-up">https://mentored.com.au/newsletter-sign-up</a>
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/mentormarkbouris/">Join the Facebook Group.</a>
Follow Mark Bouris on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/mark_bouris/">Instagram</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://au.linkedin.com/in/markbouris">LinkedIn</a>&nbsp;&amp;&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPX01K1JgNS5pyzUtwtCtsQ">YouTube</a>
Claim $500 Bitcoin with OKX SMSF. SMSF trustees: Successfully sign-up your SMSF and get verified for an OKX SMSF trading account. Deposit $5 and receive $500 worth of Bitcoin. Eligibility requirements and T&amp;amp;Cs apply. Book a 1-1 call with the OKX SMSF team today for guidance. Offer&nbsp;ends 31 March 2026.

(REVISIT) The Yard Gym Story: Dan Bova on building a Fitness Franchise powerhouse

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/2fb3740d-3436-44af-8cc0-a91900716aa5/clips/b19adbb3-84d1-4c68-b42a-b3d7015fb712/transcript

An alarming 6,200 NSW businesses went insolvent in 2025.

My latest guest on The Mentor was one of the business owners who had to shut down his business in 2025.

In this episode, Dean reflects on the journey of building Living Timber Co from $26 and a garage into a business delivering national projects, before the difficult decision to place the company into liquidation.

We explore what happens when passion meets rapid growth, rising interest rates and the quiet pressure many founders carry to do everything themselves. Dean speaks candidly about burnout, the warning signs he overlooked, and why he now views the experience as a failure without regrets, not something to be ashamed of, but something to learn from and move on from.

You can subscribe to the Mentored newsletter here: https://mentored.com.au/newsletter-sign-up

Join the Facebook Group.

Follow Mark Bouris on Instagram, LinkedIn & YouTube

Claim $500 Bitcoin with OKX SMSF. SMSF trustees: Successfully sign-up your SMSF and get
verified for an OKX SMSF trading account. Deposit $5 and receive $500 worth of Bitcoin. Eligibility
requirements and T&amp;Cs apply. Book a 1-1 call with the OKX SMSF team today for guidance. Offer ends 31 March 2026.

An alarming 6,200 NSW businesses went insolvent in 2025. My latest guest on The Mentor was one of the business owners who had to shut down his business in 2025.
In this episode, Dean reflects on the journey of building Living Timber Co from $26 and a garage into a business delivering national projects, before the difficult decision to place the company into liquidation.
We explore what happens when passion meets rapid growth, rising interest rates and the quiet pressure many founders carry to do everything themselves. Dean speaks candidly about burnout, the warning signs he overlooked, and why he now views the experience as a failure without regrets, not something to be ashamed of, but something to learn from and move on from.
You can subscribe to the Mentored newsletter here: <a href="https://mentored.com.au/newsletter-sign-up">https://mentored.com.au/newsletter-sign-up</a>
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/mentormarkbouris/">Join the Facebook Group.</a>
Follow Mark Bouris on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/mark_bouris/">Instagram</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://au.linkedin.com/in/markbouris">LinkedIn</a>&nbsp;&amp;&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPX01K1JgNS5pyzUtwtCtsQ">YouTube</a>
Claim $500 Bitcoin with OKX SMSF. SMSF trustees: Successfully sign-up your SMSF and get verified for an OKX SMSF trading account. Deposit $5 and receive $500 worth of Bitcoin. Eligibility requirements and T&amp;amp;Cs apply. Book a 1-1 call with the OKX SMSF team today for guidance. Offer&nbsp;ends 31 March 2026.

6,200 NSW Businesses Went Insolvent in 2025: Lessons From When It Doesn’t Work Out with Dean Boyd (Episode #512)

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/2fb3740d-3436-44af-8cc0-a91900716aa5/clips/71213f2b-99f0-4282-82d9-b3d0005d5dee/transcript

#258 Zero Co: The future of plastic living

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